Knut blows whistle on ghost teachers

Wilson Sossion (left), the national chairman of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). Sossion says he doubted the figure released by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which put the number of teachers at 278,000. PHOTO/ FILE

What you need to know:

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) said non-existent teachers were on the government payroll.

Knut chairman Wilson Sossion doubted the figure released by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which put the number of teachers at 278,000.

Taxpayers are losing millions of shillings to ghost teachers each year, a union official has claimed.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) said non-existent teachers were on the government payroll and vowed to conduct a head count to ascertain the actual number.

Knut chairman Wilson Sossion doubted the figure released by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which put the number of teachers at 278,000.

Speaking in Kisii South during the branch’s annual meeting at the weekend, Mr Sossion said Knut’s executive secretaries will conduct a head count of teachers in 110 of their branches and compile a report which will be compared with the TSC records.

“We suspect that taxpayer’s money is being wasted by paying ghost teachers. We’ll release more details soon,” Mr Sossion said.

He took issue the delay in supplying free education funds, saying, some schools cannot afford to buy KCSE and KCPE exam materials.

The chairman also defended his decision to vie for the secretary-general’s post.

“No one is barred from contesting. I do not understand why some officials are issuing warnings and threats,” he said.

He also dismissed arguments that he was violating the union’s tradition, terming such opinions as selfish thinking.

The chairman faces acting secretary-general Mudzo Nzili for the post.

In the race to win

Speaking in Kericho over the weekend, Mr Nzili dismissed suggestions that he should swap positions with Mr Sossion, saying, he is in the race to win.

The two spoke as a section of National Executive Committee (NEC) members said they were not happy with the chairman’s decision to vie for the position.

Led by Mr Clement Omollo (Nyanza), Mr Mark Oseno, Mr John Wesonga (Western), Mr Dan Aloo (Coast) and Mr John Mbate (Nairobi), the leaders said the wrangling between the two leaders was affecting the union.

Mr Wesonga, who spoke on behalf of the members, said four regions including Nyanza, Western, Nairobi and Coast have already endorsed Mr Nzili.

Reported by Everline Okewo, George Sayagie, Jackline Moraa and Linet Wafula